Emerson Allen is a seasoned educator, coach, and former collegiate athlete with over two decades of experience shaping young minds and athletes. From his early days coaching at Strake Jesuit High School to his current roles in San Antonio, Emerson has dedicated his life to teaching, coaching football and track, and inspiring others to reach their full potential. A proud husband and father, Emerson brings a unique perspective to his podcast, blending life lessons, sports insights, and the occasional story from the field or classroom. Tune in for authentic conversations and practical wisdom rooted in years of leadership and experience.

Cutler Wellness Programs, Wellness U., Behind the Whistle, Advancement of Blacks in Sports (ABIS), AthMindset®, PA4WN™Lab, and AthleteTalk are partnering to produce March into Mental Health ’23.

#Marchintomentalhealth is a one-week “event” to highlight mental health and wellness at all levels of women’s and men’s college basketball. The goal of this effort is twofold – first to highlight the unique mental health issues pertinent to men’s and women’s college basketball and secondly to encourage college basketball coaches and their teams to engage in mental health check-ins as we approach the end of the season and conference tournaments. Beginning on February 27th2023 these seven national organizations will produce:

● Three daily mental health & wellness messages via Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

● Two podcasts on Sleep & Rest and Name, Image & Likeness & Financial Health.

● Webinar: “Navigating the Transitions in College Basketball: Athlete Mental Health and Economic Opportunities” Wednesday, March 1, at 7 pm EST via zoom. Beyond the perceptions of NIL are some harsh realities and uncertainties student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and families are navigating. This 60-minute webinar will present the impacts of the Division I Transformation Committee Report, a panel discussion between key stakeholders in collegiate athletics on the mental health toll of transitions, and recommendations for achieving holistic mental health responses to the pressures of this new era of sports.

#Marchintomentalhealth will launch on February 26th2023 with a “Tip-Off” featuring the founders from all six organizations in a conversation about college athlete mental health. In addition to the mental health messaging, podcasts, and webinar #Marchintomentalhealth will challenge college coaches to engage in a “mental health check-in” with their teams and post their check-ins (and/or other mental health content) on their social media with the hashtag #Marchintomentalhealth.

The effort will culminate on March 5th, 2023, but throughout March to Mental Health will include a “Call for Activation” challenging all college basketball coaches & teams to invest in one mental health check-in, post about the experience and use the #Marchintomentalhealth. The post with the most likes will win a mental health webinar/consultation/talk and access to a mental health video seminar.

For college basketball coaches, student-athletes, and teams (at all levels) who want to join the challenge please contact #Marchintomentalhealth at [email protected].

Did you know that sleep routines are skills that can be developed? Have you ever felt like having a poor sleep schedule is innately horrible? If so, this episode of the Ancestor Architect podcast was made specifically for you. Take a few moments to glean life-changing information on sleep and mental health. Mental Health and Wellness Programs expert, Betsy Cutler and your favorite clinician's favorite clinician, Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CSW bless the podcast with gems guaranteed to add depth to your sleep game. 

In just twelve minutes these two brilliant beams of light changed Dr. William Goodloe's sleep life for the better. Get your notepad and pillow ready!

#MarchIntoMentalHealth

#LetsBuildGreatAncestorsTogether 

Cutler Wellness Programs, Wellness U., Behind the Whistle, Advancement of Blacks in Sports (ABIS), AthMindset®, PA4WN™Lab, and AthleteTalk are partnering to produce March into Mental Health ’23.

#Marchintomentalhealth is a one-week “event” to highlight mental health and wellness at all levels of women’s and men’s college basketball. The goal of this effort is twofold – first to highlight the unique mental health issues pertinent to men’s and women’s college basketball and secondly to encourage college basketball coaches and their teams to engage in mental health check-ins as we approach the end of the season and conference tournaments. Beginning on February 27th 2023 these seven national organizations will produce:

●  Three daily mental health & wellness messages via Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

●  Two podcasts on Sleep & Rest and Name, Image & Likeness & Financial Health.

●  Webinar: “Navigating the Transitions in College Basketball: Athlete Mental Health and Economic Opportunities” Wednesday, March 1, at 7 pm EST via zoom. Beyond the perceptions of NIL are some harsh realities and uncertainties student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and families are navigating. This 60-minute webinar will present the impacts of the Division I Transformation Committee Report, a panel discussion between key stakeholders in collegiate athletics on the mental health toll of transitions, and recommendations for achieving holistic mental health responses to the pressures of this new era of sports.

#Marchintomentalhealth will launch on February 26th 2023 with a “Tip-Off” featuring the founders from all six organizations in a conversation about college athlete mental health. In addition to the mental health messaging, podcasts, and webinar #Marchintomentalhealth will challenge college coaches to engage in a “mental health check-in” with their teams and post their check-ins (and/or other mental health content) on their social media with the hashtag #Marchintomentalhealth.

The effort will culminate on March 5th, 2023, but throughout March to Mental Health will include a “Call for Activation” challenging all college basketball coaches & teams to invest in one mental health check-in, post about the experience and use the #Marchintomentalhealth. The post with the most likes will win a mental health webinar/consultation/talk and access to a mental health video seminar.

For college basketball coaches, student-athletes, and teams (at all levels) who want to join the challenge please contact #Marchintomentalhealth at [email protected].

Meet Head Football Coach DeMarcus Harris

A native Texan, Harris began his teaching and coaching career in 2007 in Dallas ISD at Hillcrest High School, where he was a special teams coordinator, strength and conditioning coach, and track coach for four years. He spent two years at Little Elm High School as a U.S. history teacher, defensive coordinator, and track coach before moving to Arlington ISD’s Seguin High School, where he served three years as a history teacher, co-defensive coordinator, and track coach.

In 2017, he moved to Cedar Hill ISD, serving as a U.S. history teacher, assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and track coach at Cedar Hill High School. Harris was instrumental in leading the Longhorns to bi-district playoffs in 2019 and 2020, area playoffs in 2019 and 2020, regional playoffs in 2020, state quarterfinals in 2020, state semifinals in 2020, and a UIL Class 6A Division II state championship appearance in 2020.

Harris received his bachelor’s degree in education with a major in history and a minor in exercise sports science from Austin College.

“It’s a great day,” said Harris, addressing the Trustees after his Board approval. “I want to make you guys proud—proud of the way our kids work and serve in the community.” Harris, soon moving to Mesquite, said he wants to “become interlocked with the community. I’m super fired up and ready to go.”

Resource: https://starlocalmedia.com/mesquitenews/sports/demarcus-harris-named-as-mesquite-high-school-head-football-coach/article_eddfa73a-784a-11eb-8609-730a85558b86.html

Coach Carlesa Dixon is a life-giving spirit. If you are blessed to spend a few minutes with Coach Dixon, you will leave a better person. 

Dixon, a native of Dallas (Texas), has coached for 16 years, 14 of which she served as a head coach. During her coaching career, she has led Dallas Lincoln High School (Texas), John Tyler High School (Texas), and Summer Creek to regional appearances. She has also coached three teams to Texas state championship games: one with Dallas Lincoln in 2013 and two with Summer Creek in 2019 and 2022. Her coaching resume also boasts six district championships,  three with Dallas Lincoln in 2013, 2015, and 2016 and three with Summer Creek in 2019, 2020, and 2022.

For Dixon’s efforts, she is a four-time district coach of the year. In 2022, she was named the Houston Chronicle Coach of the Year and was selected to coach in the 2022 Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star Game.

Dixon, who played her collegiate basketball at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and Wichita State University, holds an overall coaching record of 329-144. Her recent tenure at Summer Creek has been the winningest stretch in her career, amassing an overall record of 151-28.

She played one season of professional basketball in Sweden during the 2004-05 season.

Dixon earned a degree in criminal justice and a master’s in sports administration.

Dixon is the mother of two children, Alayna and Aaron, ages 16 and 7.

Reference

https://www.usab.com/basketball/staff/d/dixon-carlesa.aspx

Monique A.J. Smith, is a Leadership Strategist that guides Athletics Departments/Sport Organizations and Individuals who wish to advance in Athletics Administration/Sports Business or the Marketplace. Smith, a Sports Management veteran of 30 plus years, owns a consulting business Seeds of Empowerment ® LLC, where she consults in four ways 1. University workshops & retreats, 2. Monthly Membership Program   3. Speaker’s Bureau   4. “Significance in Athletics and Sports” magazine. 

She is Adjunct Faculty at Hampton University teaching Sports Management Courses. She is most known for her 7 seasons as the host of the internationally recognized weekly podcast "A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith”, that spotlights Women of Color in Athletics/Sports to her 2K Followers. An Higher Education veteran of over 30 years, she launched her consulting business Seeds of Empowerment ® LLC full-time March 2013. Smith has been conducting workshops for youth, women, educational and corporate organizations as well as senior citizens since 2005. The B.O.S.S. Network has listed Seeds of Empowerment® as one of 50 businesses to watch.  

The Seeds of Empowerment® store has apparel, books, and magazines that also celebrates Woman of Color in Athletics and Sports at payhip.com/seedsofempowerment Smith time in Collegiate Athletics includes a 13 year tenure as athletic conference executive for the historic Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). She also served in various athletic administrative roles on the campuses of Saint Paul’s College and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore within a ten year period. Smith was a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia and currently is Hampton University Adjunct teaching Sports Management courses.    

With the understanding that knowledge is the key to success, Smith customizes her presentations to provide clients with leadership tools to prepare them to make informed decisions. Monique has dedicated her life to marketing the success of others, developing opportunities for the underrepresented and influencing decision makers to embrace diversity and inclusion. These actions have led to extraordinary opportunities to facilitator change and see strives in the development of others. Smith is a native of Waverly, Virginia and resides in Hampton, Virginia with her husband and Hampton University college sweetheart, Thomas Smith III.

To schedule time with Monique AJ Smith: https://StrategySessionswithMoniqueAJSmith.as.me podcast www.chatinthegarden.com

Magaizines -Significance in Athletics and Sports found on Amazon or payhip.com/seedsofempowerment  

Book Chapter- Public Figure Mask found in the book Removing the Face found on payhip.com/seedsofempowerment  

Chat in the Garden T-Shirt and Mug found at payhip.com/seedsofempowerment

Catelyn Vasquez is the Partnership Development Specialist at CAST Lead High School. She is also a former Business Development Assistant on the International and Kosher Department for H-E-B. Wait, there's more! Catelyn is also a former English teacher and volleyball coach at John Jay High School in San Antonio, TX. Keep reading! This ancestor architect also taught Composition I and II at OSU and Comp 1 at the University of Texas San Antonio. Before exuding all of that awesomeness, Catelyn "Super Teacher" Vasquez played college volleyball for the University of the Incarnate Word.

Want to reach Catelyn on Social Media?

Facebook-@CASTLeadECISD 

Instagram- @castleadhs 

Twitter @CASTLeadSA

CAST Lead High School taking applications for incoming 9th and 10th graders for fall 2021. Please visit: https://www.castschools.com/schools/cast-lead

Chiaka Ogbogu is simply PHENOMENAL! Her accomplishments pale in comparison to her kind and compassionate spirit. We thank Chiaka for taking time out her busy schedule earlier this year before heading out of the country to play professional volleyball. This future Olympian blessed us with a few moments of her life and we are better people for it. Links to stories and other biographical information about Chiaka are included below. 

We know you will enjoy our conversation with the GOLD medal human being that is Chiaka Ogbogu. 

Chiaka is Making an Impact

Team USA Volleyball

Texas Sports Portrait of Chiaka Ogbogu

Find Chiaka Ogbogu on Twitter: @ChiakaOgbogu